Nebraska PRK Surgery

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Nebraska PRK Surgery

Laser eye surgery is a common procedure that is used to correct a person’s vision. Most people who have this procedure have either nearsightedness or farsightedness that can be accompanied by astigmatism. PRK surgery, also called photorefractive keratectomy, is done by using a laser to reshape the cornea. This laser eye surgery is unique in that it does not use a metal blade. There is minimal damage caused to the layers of the eye, so it is a safe option for vision correction. People, who have thin corneas or other conditions that make them ineligible for LASIK eye surgery, can have the PRK procedure done.

Eye doctors in Nebraska usually perform this type of surgery either in their office or in a surgical eye center. This is an outpatient surgery that typically does not require general anesthesia. The doctor will use topical anesthesia to numb the eye during the surgery. The doctor will examine the patient’s eyes during the evaluation in which he will measure the eye’s ability to see up close and at a distance. Special tools that blow air into the eye can be used to determine the extent of the vision problems that can be corrected.

On the day of the surgery, the patient will have the anesthetic eye drops administered by the doctor of an assistant. After about ten minutes, the surgery can take place. The laser is used to change the shape of the cornea using a cool beam ultraviolet light that is pointed directly at the cornea. The light does not damage the layers between the top of the eye through to the cornea when the reshaping occurs. The epithelium layer is taken out using an alcohol solution to loosen and weaken the structure. This is the part of the eye that is responsible for protecting the cornea. A protectant contact lens replaces the epithelium until it grows back usually within about three days.

The average cost of PRK surgery in Nebraska averages about $1,200 per eye. The price can be much higher if there are extensive vision problems. This price is generally much lower than other laser eye surgeries such as LASIK or LASEK. These surgeries vary in method of correcting the vision. They all use a laser to reshape the cornea, but in LASIK a cornea flap is cut with a blade, and with LASEK the epithelium layer is put back on the eye.